Establishes an excise tax on alcoholic beverages sold for off-premises consumption

This bill introduces a 5 percent excise tax on alcoholic beverages sold for off-premises consumption, such as those purchased at liquor stores or grocery stores for later use at home. The tax rate is designed to be reviewed annually and adjusted by the state commissioner to account for inflation. All revenue collected from this tax, after setting aside funds for refunds, will be directed to the New York State Drug Treatment and Public Education Fund. The tax will be administered using the same methods currently used for other state sales taxes and will take effect several months after the bill is signed into law.